2011 release. "Cherry Red Phonograph is proud to present a fully re-mastered edition of the classic 1976 album Softs, by one of the most influential exponents of the British underground, Soft Machine. This album was the band's second for the Harvest label (Pink Floyd and later Wire) and featured a new line-up of Karl Jenkins (piano, synthesizers), John Marshall (drums), Roy Babbington (bass), John Etheridge (guitar), and Alan Wakeman (sax). Seven of the album's eleven tracks were composed by Jenkins, who had taken over keyboard duties from Mike Ratledge (who makes his last appearance here on 'Song Of Aeolus' and 'Ban-Ban Caliban'), so the band at this stage was largely a vehicle for Jenkins' own vision. Also, taking Alan Holdsworth's place on guitar is John Etheridge, whose jaw-dropping speed and prowess made it quite obvious that he was no second fiddle. This is an album of exquisitely executed instrumental jazz fusion that has unfortunately often been overlooked over the years (leaving it un-issued on vinyl for over two decades)! Re-mastered from the original tapes and featuring the original artwork."